It was another year of heavy snow. The falling snowflakes fluttered down, covering the entire imperial palace in a pure white mantle. Ji Feiyu, wrapped in a fluffy cloak, sat in the snow pavilion in the imperial garden. A newly warmed pot of fine wine was placed on the stone table beside her. This was for her beloved...
Before her beloved passed away, he asked her to promise two things. One was to help the current dog - emperor, Yong Yaxuan, restore the country and bring peace to the world no matter what. The other was to take good care of herself and not be bullied in the harem.
Now, she had accomplished both things, but he was no longer there.
She still remembered that during the rebellion that year, it was also snowing heavily. He died in her arms to protect her. He was truly the biggest liar in the world. Because he said that she would be happy after achieving these two things, but in fact, life had become even more boring.
Every year at this time, she missed him terribly. She missed his might as he fought on all fronts for her, his warm chest, and his boundless tolerance for her willfulness.
Silently, she poured the wine into the glazed cup beside her. Watching the clear wine swirl in the semi - transparent cup, Ji Feiyu let out a soft sigh. She got up and poured all the wine into the soft snow.
Just then, a hurried sound of footsteps came from behind her. When Ji Feiyu turned around, a eunuch - looking man had stopped outside the snow pavilion. He respectfully conveyed a message to her, "Empress Dowager, the birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager is all set. His Majesty requests your presence."
Ji Feiyu turned around. Her beauty was stunning. Standing alone in the snow, she could outshine all things. At this moment, wearing a phoenix crown, although her gorgeous clothes were covered by the cloak, her dignity was still intimidating. The eunuch who came to convey the message only took one glance and immediately lowered his head and stood still. The senior maid beside her walked over gracefully and said, "Thank you for your hard work, eunuch. Our Empress will be there soon." Then she took out a reward from her sleeve. After some polite refusals, the eunuch finally accepted the reward and quickly thanked her before going back to report.
Watching the eunuch's departing back, Ji Feiyu couldn't help but sigh silently.
Being the empress and having to deal with all sorts of things every day was really tiring. Could she escape from this cage? Perhaps she could give it a try at today's birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager.
She, Ji Feiyu, was the empress of the Great Yong Dynasty. She held the highest status among women in the world, but also carried the greatest fetters. She had to share a man with others, yet had to act silently under the pretext of being a model for the world and bearing children for the royal family.
So what if she was extremely beautiful? Yong Yaxuan would not abandon the entire harem for her alone.
Moreover, although Yong Yaxuan was the emperor of a country, he was actually a wild man at heart. He was so wild that she was too lazy to care...
It was said that the Empress Dowager strongly opposed her entering the palace because of her background back then, but was finally deceived by her virtuous and gentle appearance and became her supporter.
Just like the concubines in the palace who were still deceived by her "virtue and gentleness", thinking that she truly adhered to the principle of "equal distribution of the emperor's favor".
Actually... Recently, the reason why Yong Yaxuan didn't come to her chambers to spend the night and instead kept summoning concubines was because one night when he came to her, she accidentally kicked his buttocks in her sleep...
This kick was neither too heavy nor too light. It shouldn't have been the real reason for Yong Yaxuan's anger. The real reason was that she had ruined his good dream.
It was a dream about hunting a deer.
For an emperor to hunt a deer was a symbol of seeking to rule the world, but because of Ji Feiyu's unexpected kick... he fell off his horse directly... So for many days... many days, he didn't want to talk to her...
The direct consequence of his ignoring Ji Feiyu was that it was a good opportunity for those chattering concubines in the harem. So the topic of their idle chat after paying respects to Ji Feiyu every day was all about her "equal distribution of favor" and their competition over who the emperor favored more.
Watching them scheme against each other, Ji Feiyu always wore a smile like a holy mother from beginning to end, silent. But what she was thinking in her heart was when she could find time to teach them a good lesson.
Just like today's birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager, it should be a good day for her to show her skills.
She got up lazily and headed for the birthday banquet. After a series of cumbersome entrance ceremonies and presenting gifts to the Empress Dowager, Ji Feiyu finally got a chance to sit down beside Yong Yaxuan. She had taken off her cloak when entering the hall. Now, dressed in a phoenix robe, she looked dignified, gorgeous, and had an excellent temperament.
However, at this moment, Yong Yaxuan was sitting upright beside her, looking straight ahead, obviously still not wanting to talk to her.
Looking at Yong Yaxuan's handsome profile, Ji Feiyu had an idea. She wondered whether he was really angry or just pretending to be serious. So she decided to test him when no one was paying attention. She quietly reached out her hand and touched his hand with her fingertip, looking askance at him expectantly. Who would have thought that Yong Yaxuan silently withdrew his hand, coughed lightly, and put on an even more serious face, just like the cold frost and flying snow outside today.
Humph! Dog emperor! Dog man!
Ji Feiyu couldn't help getting angry. She also decided to ignore him. Coincidentally, at this moment, Concubine Li stepped forward to toast her...
Looking at Concubine Li's shy glances at the emperor and her peach - colored dress today, which set off her rosy complexion, Ji Feiyu suddenly had a plan. She said,
"Concubine Li, come here. Let this empress take a good look at you."
Concubine Li smiled upon hearing this and took two steps forward. Ji Feiyu took the opportunity to smear the poisoned powder hidden under her fingernails on her hand. She shook Concubine Li's hand and then let go, saying gently like a warm spring breeze, "Concubine Li has become even more charming recently."
Concubine Li covered her mouth and giggled upon hearing this. "Your Majesty the Empress flatters me. I can't compare to you in the slightest."
This was exactly the reaction Ji Feiyu was waiting for. Her smile became even more meaningful. Now, Concubine Li couldn't blame her if she was poisoned.
Ji Feiyu and Concubine Li both drank their wine. As Concubine Li went back to her seat, a deep and magnetic voice came from beside Ji Feiyu. "My dear, what bad deed are you up to again?"
"Hmm?" Ji Feiyu couldn't help looking at him, with an innocent look in her eyes. Seeing that he didn't even look at her, she pretended not to know anything, took a sip of wine casually, and said with a smile, "What did Your Majesty just see?"
"Nothing." Yong Yaxuan imitated her and took a sip of wine, still not looking at her.
Looking at his non -chalant appearance, although he was noble and handsome, he exuded an annoying air. Ji Feiyu couldn't help complaining in her heart. Was it really necessary to be so angry just because of a deer in a dream?
Feeling frustrated, she ignored him. She calmly turned her head and continued to watch the singing and dancing at the banquet.
At this moment, cold smoke suddenly rose on the stage. The graceful dancers in colorful clothes were waving ribbons in the pool, looking like fairies descending from the sky. It really lived up to the dance named "Flying to the Sky". Although it was cold outside, the main hall was extremely warm. So the dancers were wearing very thin clothes.
Ji Feiyu looked at the graceful figures of the dancers in the pool, then looked down at the cleavage she had barely managed to show under her ceremonial dress. Suddenly, she understood why Yong Yaxuan didn't look at her when talking to her just now.
She looked back at the man beside her with dissatisfaction, but that dog man didn't notice at all. Ji Feiyu had no choice but to swallow her anger and play with the fruit plate on the table. She thought thoughtfully -
Judging from the time, Concubine Li should be showing the symptoms of the poison by now.
Sure enough, just as she thought this, something happened to Concubine Li.
Below, Concubine Li was sitting quietly when suddenly she let out a coquettish cry of "Ouch" and fell backward in an extremely exaggerated posture. This posture fully demonstrated the slender waist she had painstakingly trained. Ji Feiyu couldn't help clicking her tongue slightly. She thought to herself that Concubine Li was really the best at acting!